SUMMARY NOTES OF JUDAISM FOR REVIEW:

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1 SUMMARY NOTES OF JUDAISM FOR REVIEW: A. Recommended books for additional studies: 1 1. Michael Fishbane, Judaism (San Francisco: Harper, 1987). This book offers a very decent overview of this world religion from a Jewish perspective. 2. Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Judaism: History, Belief and Practice (London: Routledge, 2003). This book is for the advanced reader. 3. Eugene Merrill, Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament Israel, 2 nd edition (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008). This book offers a careful account of the history of Israel from a Christian perspective that recognizes that G-d has a distinct plan for Israel. 4. Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths (Downers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity, 1998). 5. Irving Hexham, Understanding World Religions: An Interdisciplinary Approach (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011). B. Sequential Events in Jewish History: Know these events: (the purpose is not to fix authoritative dates but to arrange events in a sequential format for historical context): 2 DATE: PERIOD: C BC Abraham C BC Joseph in Egypt C Exodus and conquest; law given at Sinai around 1445 BC. C BC Period of the Judges C BC United Kingdom under Saul, David and Solomon (David at 1000). Temple is built by Solomon 930 BC-722 BC c BC Divided Kingdoms of Israel & Judah; Rise of the Prophets 722 BC Fall of Samaria, end of kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom (10 Tribes), that is, Israel, is taken captive by Assyrians 586 BC Fall of Jerusalem, end of kingdom of Judah, & exile to Babylonia. Babylonia takes Judah in 586 BC 538 BC End of exile, restoration of Judah, & Persian overlordship BC The Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt and is 1 Other works worth examining include Ben-Sasson s A History of the Jewish People (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1976); Herbert Danby, trans. The Mishna (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1933); Encyclopaedia Judaica, 16 vols (New York: Macmillan, 1972); I. Epstein, ed., The Babylonian Talmud (London: Soncino, 1935); Jewish Encyclopedia, 12 vols (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1925), Gershom G. Scholem s, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism (New York: Schocken, 1946), Leo Trepp s Judaism (Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth, 1982). 2 Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths, Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity, 1998), 47. 1

2 completed by 515 BC. C. 420 BC Last biblical prophet (Malachi) 332 BC Conquest by Alexander the Great; Greek rulers 166 BC Maccabean revolt, Hasmonean kingdom, Herod the Great installed by Romans (37 BC) 63 BC-313 AD Roman Rule over Israel c. 5 BC Jesus is born in Bethlehem AD 70 Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple AD 73 Masada AD AD AD AD AD 1917 AD 1917 AD AD 14 May 1948 AD Byzantine Rule Persian Rule Crusader Domination (Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem) Mamluk Rule Ottoman Rule British Conquest ended 400 years of Ottoman ru Balfour Declaration European Holocaust The Establishment of Modern Israel (Third Commonwealth) C. Three preliminary remarks (prolegomena): 1. Judaism has its existence apart from Christianity but Christianity is sourced our Judaism Try to study Judaism as a religion in its own right. a. What are your presuppositions (fixed biases that do not change unless extreme pressure is applied), preunderstandings (moldable influences that come and go; they are fluid-like), and contextual influences (the interplay between ourselves and our environment)? How does your worldview impact your understanding? b. From immersion into Judaism in its own right to truly begin to understand why this religion is so fascinating. 3. Judaism as a term is very problematic. a. It is an identifiable ethnic group which is neither a religion nor a race. 1) Nonreligious Jews practicing Jewish rituals that affirm their identity. 3 Irving Hexham, Understanding World Religions: An Interdisciplinary Approach (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011),

3 D. Basic Judaistic Terms to Know: 2) While Jews find their origins with Abraham s family, over time, the incorporation of so many people from so many different cultures makes any definition of Jewishness very difficult to delineate. 3) Consider this definition by Michael Fishbane: Judaism is thus the religious expression of the Jewish people from antiquity to the present day as it has tried to form and live a life of holiness before God [Fishbane, Judaism, 12]. 4) Consider this definition by Winfried Corduan: Judaism is a religion based on relationships: God s relationship with the human person, a person s relationship with God, people s individual relationships with each other, and the Chosen People s relationship with other nations. All these relationships are based on rules and traditions that are said to be originated with God. 4 Diaspora: Gemarah: Midrash: Mishnah: Passover: Pentateuch: Pentecost: Purim: Rosh Hashanah: Seder: Sukkoth: Torah: Shofar: The dispersion of the Jews after the Babylonian Captivity A commentary based on the Mishnah A commentary of the Hebrew Scriptures, especially the Torah Oral law in general to be distinguished from Scripture An annual feast commemorating the deliverance of the firstborn in Egypt when the angel of death took all those who did not have blood on the doorpost First five books of the Hebrew Scriptures: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy The feast of weeks observed fifty days after the Passover. Also called Shabuoth The feast commemorating Esther s intervention on behalf of the Jews when they were in Persia The Jewish New Year The festival held in Jewish homes on the first night of the Passover commemorating the Exodus from Egypt The Feast of Tabernacles celebrating the harvest. Refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures (The Law) but can also refer to the entire corpus of the Jewish Law. The ram s horn that is blown during services on Rosh Hashanah 4 Corduan, Neighboring Faiths, 46. 3

4 Talmud: Noahic Covenant: Abrahamic Covenant: Mosaic Covenant (Exodus chapters 19-24): Mishna (Halakah) + Gemera (Haggadah) = Talmud The Jewish library of oral law and tradition consisting of Mishnah and Gemara Using a rainbow to symbolize God s mercy and compassion on all, G-d binds himself to all humanity with an unconditional covenant to never destroy the earth again with a flood. E. Jewish Calendar (I m not testing you on calendar): 1. Tishrei: September-October 2. Cheshvan: October-November 3. Kislev: November-December 4. Tevet: December-January 5. Shevat: January-February 6. Adar: February-March 7. Nisan: March-April 8. Tyar: April-May 9. Sivan: May-June 10. Tammuz: June-July 11. Av: July-August 12. Elul: August-September a. Jewish months vary in length between days. b. To harmonize the calendar with the rotation of earth around the sun, the Jewish calendar works on a 19-year rotation with 12 years of 12 months and 7 years of 13 months. c. The monthly leap years are 11 th, 14 th, 17 th, and 19 th years. d. There is no relationship between Western calendar and Jewish months. Above listing shows the equivalents. 4

5 F. Central Points: e. Jewish day begins at sunset; a normal day is quite differently than what we Westerners might count as a day. 1. Judaism relies upon a body of narrative in both written and oral forms as the basis for its beliefs and practices. 2. Judaism contends that their narratives are not fictitious but are rooted in actual history. 3. These historical events give this world religion 4. Torah ( to point the way, give direction ), is often translated by law. In essence, the Torah refers to a complete pattern of behavior, applicable to all aspects of individual and collective life. This type of life is expressed in the wide variety of oral traditions, ceremonies, commentaries on Scriptures, family life, and rituals. 5. Judaism is a way of life whereby human life is inherently sacred; life is to be shared with G-d. For example, to eat or drink without praying to G-d is like robbing G-d of his property. 6. Judaism traces its origin when Abram received a divine call from the one trur God to leave his idolatrous people in Ur of the Chaldees and go to the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:1-3: 7. Tracing the Abrahamic Covenant: unconditional land, seed, and blessing: I will make you a great nation; I will bless you (Genesis 12:2)-and with this unconditional and unilateral promise, originally given to Abram and Sarai, we have the Abrahamic Covenant. This promise involves land, seed, and blessing. G-d would multiply Abram s descendants & give them the land of Canaan (13:14-17). G-d formalizes this promise to Abram as a formal agreement between a superior king & an inferior servant (15:1-21). Finally, He commits to Himself that He would do it (22:15-18). His promise is considered to be irrevocable. Notwithstanding, G-d also makes certain demands. First, he commands Abram & Sarai to leave their home & extended family to go to a new land (12:1). He commands them to be a blessing to others (12:2), to walk before Him & be blameless (17:1), & to circumcise the males in the household as a sign of the covenant (17:10). Although G-d s promises are considered to be unconditional, rooted in His character, Abram s temporal participation in G-d s blessing was conditioned on his faithfulness & his obedience to G-d s commands. Abram withstood the test for he both believed & obeyed (15:6; 22:1-18): SCRIPTURE G-D S PROMISE G-D S COMMAND REACTION Genesis 12:1-3 G-d promises to Leave your country. Abram leaves Ur & make Abraham into a Be a blessing. goes to Canaan. great nation and bless all others 5

6 Genesis 13:14-18 Genesis 15:1-21 Genesis 17:1-27 Genesis 18:1-18 Genesis 22:1-19 Genesis 26:23-25 Genesis 35:9-15 through him. G-d promises to multiply Abram s descendants & give Canaan to them forever. G-d makes a formal covenant by passing through sacrificial animals. He promises to multiply Abram s descendant and give them land. G-d promises to establish an everlasting covenant with Abram s descendants & promises to give the land as an everlasting possession. G-d promises to give Sarah a son G-d promises to make Abraham s descendants numerous & to bless all nations through them. G-d promises to increase Isaac s descendants G-d promises to multiply Jacob s descendants & give them the land Do not be afraid. Walk before Me and be blameless. Keep the covenant and circumcise all males as a sign of the covenant. Sacrifice your son, Isaac. (Then G-d provided a ram to sacrifice instead). Do not be afraid; for I am with you. Abram worships G-d by building an altar. Abram believes. Abraham circumcises all males in his household. Sarah laughs Abraham obeys. Isaac builds an altar & calls on G-d. Jacob sets up a stone pillar & pours oil on it. 8. The Mosaic Covenant, that is, the covenant with the people as given to Moses: Encamped before Mount Sinaia, G-d makes a covenant with the entire nation of Israel. This Mosaic Covenant is one whereby G-d formalizes His relationship with the Israelites with a suzerainvassal (ruler-subject) treaty. G-d came to the Israelites as the Great King & presented to them a binding treaty in which He would make certain promises to them & they would have certain obligations as His servants. This treaty is bilaterial, not unilateral. The treaty, to be sure, is not a treaty of two equals, but was one between the superior King & his servants. a. God reminds the Israelites of who He is and what He has done for them. He was their Deliverer, that is, the one who saved them from their Egyptian oppressors (Exodus 19:4). b. If the Israelites covenanted with G-d, He promised to make the Israelites His special treasure (19:5). In fact, He would not only bless them, but he would also make them 6

7 a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (19:6). As a result, Israel would become holy, that is, distinct and separate from all other nations, because of its special and intimate relationship with G-d. But on the other hand, Israel, in its separation, was to be the means by which the other nations would learn of the living G-d. In, Israel would be the nation that would lead others to a correct worship of the true God (Psalm 117). C. Accepting this treaty, G-d graciously instructs the Israelites on how they should live (ch. 20). As a people who have a relationship with the living God, the Israelites are called to act a certain way- G-d s way. The law is benevolent instruction from G-d himself. It was G-d s direction. G-d demonstrates His love for them by saving them and reminding them of His faithfulness to His promises to their parents, Abraham and Sarah. Thus, by agreeing to be His special people, He gives them instructions for how to live. 9. Land Covenant: See Outline. 10. Davidic Covenant: See Outline 11. New Covenant: See Outline. 12. Jewish Religious Traditions: The early history of Judaism is often framed in terms of two commonwealths (a community founded on some common good). a. The First Jewish Commonwealth: Begins from the time Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai (around 1450 BC) until the destruction of Judah by the Babylonians (586 BC). b. The Second Jewish Commonwealth begins with the destruction of Judah by the Babylonians (586 BC) and extends through the destruction of the temple by the Romans (AD 70). What is the code of Hammurabi? It was an ancient law code named after a king who ruled Babylonia (c BC). These laws are similar to the Law as revealed to Moses in the Pentateuch. It was first discovered by the archeologist V. Scheil at Susa, an early city of the ancient Babylonian empire, in It was written on a 7 foot high stone monument (called a stele) with the upper part picturing Hammurabi receiving a receptor and a ring, symbols of justice and order, from Shamash, the Babylonian sun-god and divine lawgiver. The rest of the monument contains the code. Hammurabi s law date from about 300 years after Abraham and some 300 years before the events described in the last three books of the Pentateuch. This law code was written for a complex urban culture in contrast to the simple agricultural culture of Palestine. c. Some people argue that the Holocaust and the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948 has initiated a third commonwealth. 7

8 13. Three Branches of Judaism: Orthodox Judaism, Conservative, and Reform. A. Important Dates and Religious Traditions of Judaism: 1. Hebrew Religion: BC-70 AD. 2. Talmudic Judaism: 70 AD- 900 AD 3. Classical Judaism: AD 4. Reformed, Orthodox, Hasidic, and Ethnic Judaism: 1700-present B. A Closer Look at Historical Periods: 1. Early Period: The Book of Genesis and all the details within: a. Creation, Sin, Flood, and Babel. Know Genesis outline. 2. First Commonwwealth: Moses received the Law around 1445 BC to 586 BC: a. Basis for First Commonwealth flows from the Patriarchs (The Covenants): b. Egypt and Sinai: Four hundred years the Hebrews spent in Egypt, mostly as slaves. 1. Ten Plagues on Egypt 2. Crossing Red Sea 3. Giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai 4. Golden Calf incident. c. Giving of the Law included: 1. Ten Commandments (important to know): 2. Complex Legal Code for Social Relationships that cover criminal and civil matters. 3. Instructions for Tabernacle (central place of worship), furnishings (Ark of the Covenant); an incense altar, a table for the bread of the Presence and a lampstand. 4. Professional priesthood drawn from tribe of Levi 5. Complex system of sacrifices of animals and agricultural products, to be administered exclusively by the priests 6. Code of ritual purity that included medical and hygienic precautions, dietary rules and prohibitions of Canaanite religious practices d. Conquest and Judges e. Unified Kingdom 8

9 f. Divided Kingdom C. Second Commonwealth: Return to Israel from Babylonia by Persians: 1. Ezra and Nehemiah 2. Greek occupation and Hasomonean Kingdom: a. Alexander the Great b. Seleucids (e.g., Antiochus Apiphanes IV; he sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the altar of the temple in Jerusalem); c. Roman Occupation: d. Destruction of the Temple in AD 70 e. Zealots last stand at Masada in AD people committed mass suicide. D. Rise of Rabbinic Judaism following destruction of Temple in AD 70: 1. Canon of Hebrew Scriptures at Jamnia (Yahvneh) a. Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy b. Prophets: 1. Early Prophets included Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings 2. Later Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Minor Prophets: Hosea to Malachi: c. Writings: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1-2 Chronicles. 2. Mishna: A collection of the many interpretations of the law over the centuries. Different opinions expressed on a given issue. a. Six categories: 1. Seeds: containing laws on agriculture and prayer 2. Feasts: laws concerning holy days and writing of scrolls 3. Women: Laws concerning marriage and other vows. 4. Damages: civil and criminal laws as well as prohibitions concerning idolatry 5. Holy Matters: sacrifice and laws for the temple 6. Purities: ritual cleanliness and purification. b. The application of the law is called the Halakic tradition. 9

10 3. Talmud: c. Mishnah project ended in 136 AD when a new Zealot group, lead by Bar Kochba, instigated a new rebellion against the Romans. It ended with Jerusalem destroyed once again. Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as a pagan city and named it Aeolia Capitolina and dedicated to the God Jupiter. Now the Jews lost their homeland in addition to losing their Temple in AD 70. d. Mishnah was completed by Rabbi Judah the Prince around 200 AD. He finished it and gave it the form in which we have it today. a. Mishnah (Halakic literature) + Gemara (Haggada; narrative stories illustrating the application of the law) = Talmud. b. Palestinian or Jerusalem Talmud was finished in 4 th century AD. c. Larger Babylonian Talmud was finished in 5 th century AD (English translation spans 17 dense volumes plus an index volume) d. Talmud: 1. Organized into 55 tractates (uneven length) with many subsections: a. First passage from Torah b. Discussion from Mishnah (takes up small space) c. Gemara (larger part) d. Haggadah provides illustrations from lives of famous rabbis 2. Pages are arranged concentrically: a. Torah is surrounded by Mishnah b. Mishnah is surrounded by Gemara c. Space is left on outside for further development 3. Many place Talmud on par with Inspired Scripture whereas others consider it to be authoritative but not inspired. 4. Liberal Jewish people respect Talmud for its historical value. 5. Talmud is authoritative source of Jewish law and tradition e. During Middle Ages two Jewish scholars are critical to Talmudic tradition: 1. Rashi (Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac): Set standard for literal interpretation by arguing that a literal reading must always take precedence over an allegorical/moral meaning. 10

11 a. Defended traditional understandings of origin of Scripture (e.g., Moses as author of Torah) 2. Rambam (Moses Maimonides) who wrote Guide for the Perplexed, provided an intellectual defense of Judaism. Aquinas referred to him as Rabbi Moses. a. Brilliant philosopher, theologian, and physician 4. Sabbatai Zevi (17 th Century): Believed to be the messiah who converted to Islam: a. Born in Smyrna (modern Turkey) b. Studied Zohar c. He came to believe he was the Messiah d. Suffered bipolar disorder e. Many saw behavior as a messianic sign f. Many people believed he was the messiah. g. Sabbatia traveled to Constantinople to convert Turkish sultan to Judaism. But he was captured and was invited to become Islam. Sabbatai agreed to convert and thus in 1666 he became a Muslim. h. This greatly impacted Jewish life. 5. Rise of European Hasidism as a new order: a. Israel ben Eliezer (Baal Shem Tov Master of the Good name ) b. Also known as the Besht. c. Born in Poland in 1700 d. Teaching: 1. Optimistic after giant disappointment with Sabbatai 2. God is not found in studying Torah and obeying Law but inside of the person and is manifested through singing and dancing. 3. Thus, pursue the joyful expression of God; allow up-to-date cultural forms. e. Contemporary Hasidism embrace 18 th century forms of worship. f. It is an orthodox movement and keeps all of the Talmudic requirements. g. Popular press see them as ultra-orthodox but this is not right because there is no degreesof orthodoxy. 11

12 h. After Besht s death, Hasidic movement organized into various local communities names after villages. 6. Orthodox Judaism: Traditionalists who are united in the upholding of the Torah. Consider the following description from the Encyclopedia of Jewish Religion: Though Orthodoxy is widely diversified among its many religious groupings and nuances of belief and practice, all Orthodox Jews are united in their belief in the historical event of revelation at Sinai, as described in the Torah; in their acceptance of the Divine Law, in its Written and Oral Forms, as immutable and binding for all times; in their acknowledgement of the authority of duly qualified rabbis-who themselves recognize the validity of the Talmud and all other traditional sources of the Halakhah-to interpret and administer Jewish Law [Encyclopedia of Jewish Religion, New York: Holt, Rhineheart and Winston, 1966, 293]. a. Verbal, plenary inspiration of Old Testament though greater attention is given to Torah. b. Traditional dietary and ceremonial laws of Judaism c. Close adherence to the Torah. 7. Conservative Judaism (founded in 19 th century): Adhere to the Torah while adapting contemporary culture. a. Maintain basics of Jewish law (e.g., dietary laws, prayer, and morality) while accommodating contemporary forms of dress and worship. 8. Reform Judaim (arose in 18 th century): Accept western European cultural and intellectual fashions. a. Moses Mendelssohn is a pioneer of this movement. b. They see themselves as being free to become part of the culture in which they lived. c. Does not see traditional forms as authoritative. Thus, the Talmud is not seen as authoritative. d. Orthodox practice is not wrong; it is just not binding. e. Religious practice is seen as being in a continual state of development. f. No messianic hope. If a messianic office exists, it is fulfilled by the people as a whole making the world a better place. g. Supporters of the state of Israel in view of European Holocaust h. They refer to their meeting places as temples because they have given up on the expectation of a restored temple in Jerusalem. i. Worship services intentionally reflect Christian Protestant forms of worship. k. Organ music and informational sermon. 12

13 l. Liberal theology. m. Accept German Higher Criticism. n. Very concerned about minority empowerment and social concerns. 9. Kabala (Arose in the Second Jewish Commonwealth): 10. Theology: a. Jewish mysticism b. Kabala means tradition. c. Mysticism is the idea of having an unmediated link to the Absolute. Thus, Kabala is having a direct vision of God. d. Jewish mysticism is called merkahavah mysticism which comes from the Hebrew word for chariot in Ezekiel 1:26 ( celestial chariot ). e. Some believe the experience the Apostle Paul had in 2 Corinthians 12 is an early example of this type of spirituality. f. Various schools of Kabala which developed during the Middle Ages. g. Most famous treatise is called the Zohar which means book of splendor and often referred to as book of lights. It was written by Moses de Leon. In this book he describes the universe in its relation to the being and glory of God. h. Another important figure was Isaac de Luria. He left Spain because of Christian persecution and established a school at Safed in Galilee. i. Numerological mysticism: Gematri (related to the word geometry): 1. Each letter of Hebrew alphabet is assigned a specific number value. 2. Thus, each word has a numerical equivalent 3. Arithmetical analysis generates spiritual insights that would otherwise not be known. A. God (see chart): Belief in one God. B. Salvation: Faith (Abraham); law is an outworking of faith, an expression of worship. C. Original Sin: No concept of original sin (nature) but sin in sinful choices. 11. Know pages from World Religions by Bowker. 12. I believe in the champion in you! 13